Watches are portable timepieces that can be carried or worn by a person. It is widely used worn on the wrist. A watch is designed to keep a consistent movement, despite motions caused by any person’s activity.
There are 4 known types of watches, namely: Manual watches, Automatic watches, Quartz watches, and Kinetic watches. All these four types of watches have their kinds of watch movement with different functions respectively.
Where Was The Watch Invented?
Accordingly, the watch was invented between 13th- 16th Centuries.
In 1275, the first mechanical clock was invented in England. One of the oldest working clocks is found at Salisbury Cathedral, completed in 1386. This clock does not have any face and tells the time by striking the hours. In the early 1300s, three mechanical clocks were built in Italy.
The first wristwatch, however, was created as some say by Abraham Louis-Breguet in 1810. Pater Philippe, the famous watchmaker’s credit themselves with the creation of the first wristwatch in the year 1868.
What is The Importance of a Watch in Our Lives?
It is not just used for personal fashion adornments, but watches have become a very integral part of our life today. A watch helps you to be time conscious, letting you arrive for your appointments on time, finish something on a deadline, and even start something important at the right time.
Some would say that it is much easier to have a phone instead, but then again, it is the convenience that a watch has that gives it the edge over a cell phone. Checking your watch is more subtle and easier.
Now, how do we maintain our watches? Is it just hiding it in our jewelry box, keeping it out of sight? Or keep it in a black pouch perhaps? Or, maybe we can just leave it on the table for the dust to seep through its mechanism?
How to Take Care of your Watch?
1. Wind your watch
There are types of watches where you don’t need to wind it daily, and such are called an automatic watch aka mechanical watch. Some watches need a steady schedule of winding and it is called Manual watches. An automatic watch requires less winding, though, you still need to wind it for it to perform at its best. Manual watches, on the other hand, are not self-winding and may require that you wind them manually or with a special tool to keep it performing well.
It is ideal for you to wind your watch so that the lubricant will spread in the mechanism as winding keeps the watch working. You don’t have to do this daily for every watch that you own though, but you can wind watches that you own at least once a month or so. The watch is more accurate if you wind it once in a while.
For a manual watch, it would be best to wind it daily so it will maintain its accuracy.
2. Do not wind your watch while wearing it on your wrist
It is not a good idea to wind your watch while you are wearing it on your wrist, these may cause you to accidentally pull the crown out or even to cause you to overwind the watch. Just remove the watch and put it on the table or any flat surface. This way you will be able to pull the crown at the right angle and no stress is caused on the crown with the right movement.
By making sure of this, breakage or bending the crown is avoided.
3. When winding your watch, be careful
Again, make sure to wind your watch on a table, a flat surface or any suitable place. This way there is less incident of your watch falling on the floor and breaking. It is also not advisable for you to wind it while you are walking or doing something else.
4. Do not use soap when cleaning your watch
The dust, which is such a smallest of particles can wind up inside your watch. We cannot know fully how, but we just have to take care of our watch by not letting dust sit on it. Our watch doesn’t look good when it is dusty and unclean. Using a microfiber polishing cloth can do wonders on your watch. A bit of water, put on the cloth just to make it a bit moist can help as well, just avoid the straps from getting wet. But never, ever, use soap and water to clean your watch. It is not a good idea at all.
5. Check the gaskets and seals of your watch
Water seeps through your watches, most especially if it is not a water-resistant watch. Yes, there are watches in the market today with the water-resistant feature, but watches when worn daily, its seals and gaskets can dry out, making it penetrable to moist in the long run.
The best way is to have it checked by watch specialist, to see if all is good and working with its water-resistant feature.
A watch might have a high water resistance rating, but the material used in gaskets and seals can dry out, weakening a watch’s water resistance. If you swim or shower with your watch, you might even want to check water resistance annually. Many watchmakers have machines to check water resistance via pressure settings, and it is not a costly nor time-consuming test.
6. Use the warranty effectively
Say you have a warranty period of a year and before it finishes, it is best to have your watch checked before the end of the warranty – that way, your warranty will be extended another full year. At the same time, you get your watch checked and warranted to be working at its finest.
7. Don’t try to check the limit of your watch
Yes, your watch has its amazing features such as it is waterproof, shock-proof, or even shatterproof. Still, it is no reason for you to check its viability. Some would try to soak their watch in the water and let it stay there for some time, while others have tried smashing their watches with a hammer or jumping on top of their watch just to check if it is shockproof. Beats me. It just proves something about the person who owns the watch and not something about the watch.
Watches are still considered to be mechanical, hence, the high probability of it being damaged. Care and maintenance is still the key.
8. Carefully change watch straps
Changing straps may be an easy feat for some, but it is not for everyone. The probability of your watch being scratched by the tool you are using is high, most especially if it is not the right tool you are using. Best to have a specialist change the straps for you for a minimal fee than to have your watch damaged just because you are saving some money. It will cost you more in the long run.
If in any case, you would like to do it yourself, then you should invest in tools that you can use for the long term, tools that are specifically for that purpose. You may also get ideas from the net on how to go about changing the straps correctly.
Tips for Maintaining a Watch
There are ways to make sure that you are keeping your watch in good condition such as the following:
- Clean them regularly. To keep your watches in tip-top shape, best to clean it gently with a soft cloth or even a toothbrush to remove any dust or even dirt that your watch may have.
- Have a professional service your watch regularly. Have a professional take care of your watch by having them check it regularly. He should know if your watch will need cleaning or not. The straps of your watch also need some waxing from time to time to maintain the suppleness of the leather.
- Avoid putting your watch near any magnets. It disrupts the timekeeping of the watch somehow.
- Know the capacity of your water-resistant watch. It is advisable for you to be aware of how much your water-resistant watch can handle being in the water. This way you can avoid using it in deep water or having it splashed with water too much.
- The crystal facade of the watch should be considered. It is advisable to refrain from banging the crystal watch against the wall or any hard objects that may cause some streaks in it.
- Keep your watch box. You should keep the box where the watch was in when you bought it. This is the most ideal storage place for your watch. So, use it.
- Avoid any contact with chemicals. Exposure to chemicals like perfume, oils, or even cleaning agents can damage the leather straps of your watch. Making it more prone to wear and tear. So, avoid spraying perfume, cologne and such while wearing your watch.
- Avoid too much exposure to sunlight. Best to avoid sunlight, so that the color of your watch and the battery will be protected.
- Wear your watch carefully – there is an appropriate place to wear your watch, you cannot wear a designer watch to frolic on the beach or perhaps, use it while you are inside the sauna. Be mindful.
- Storage. Keep your watches in a dry and safe place. Check them from time to time or as often as you can and be sure to keep tabs.
How Often Do You Need a Specialist to Service Your Watch?
You may opt to have your watch maintained by a professional as often as you like or how often you think it is needed. If you are using your watch daily, then it is best to have it checked to see for any parts that need tuning or for any parts that need cleaning. The service will also include checking the straps and its condition. Having it worn most of the time will cause some changes in your watch over time.
Some would suggest having your watch check at least once a year. You can inform the specialist what you want to be done or what you want not done to your watch. He may simply polish and dust parts that needed some dusting. Also, you are the only one who can tell when and how often it should be checked by the specialist.
Careful consideration and care of your watch mean you will be able to use it for a long time.
How Long a Watch Could Last?
Although these watches are made to last and made to stand wear and tear, it will normally happen from everyday use, which is why it is recommended to service them at least once a year. It is also advisable for you to read more about the watch that you are buying or what you bought. By doing so, you would know how long your watch is supposed to last and what care and maintenance it needs.
For the maintenance and care of your watch, it is still up to you on how you will go about maintaining your watch but keep in mind that it would benefit your watch the most if you have it serviced by specialists if not at least once a year, then twice a year would do it wonders.
Some would suggest for you to have it checked more often than that, most especially if you have the kind of watch that is labeled as a luxury watch or those watches that are high priced. Though luxury watches are priced high its edge is the assurance that it is made to stand the test of time For you to get more from your investment, do your part as well in taking care of your watch. The longevity of your watch will still depend on how you use it, care for it and how well maintained it is – just do that and surely it will serve you for years to come.
Don’t have a watch yet? Select one from our article on The Best Watches.
